Daejeon City Intangible Cultural Property 'Maesanyang' Public Demonstration at Daecheongho Lake

A bird of prey, a hawk, is spreading its wings on the hand of Park Yong-sun from the Reply series. Provided by Daejeon City

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Daejeon City's intangible cultural asset "Maesanyang" will be publicly demonstrated on the 10th at the Korean Traditional Maesanyang Transmission Experience School near Daecheongho.

The public demonstration of Maesanyang is held with the city's support and marks its 19th year this year. The demonstration will be conducted by Park Yong-soon, the holder of the city's intangible cultural asset Maesanyang, along with his disciples.

At the site, visitors can see an introduction to Maesanyang, a hunting hawk parade, the process of training hawks, and the hawks actually going out to hunt.

Maesanyang is a traditional hunting method that involves taming hawks or birds of prey to catch wild game, and the tradition of Maesanyang has been found in over 60 countries to date.

Maesanyang was jointly nominated by multiple countries including South Korea and was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010.

Domestically, Daejeon and Jinan have registered it as a city/province intangible cultural asset, and there are only two holders of this intangible cultural asset.

Park Yong-soon began Maesanyang in 1985 and was recognized as the holder of Daejeon City's intangible cultural asset Maesanyang in 2000. He has devoted nearly 30 years to preserving the legacy of this intangible heritage.

The public demonstration will feature birds of prey including goshawks, black kites, and common kestrels, which have been with Park Yong-soon throughout his life, spreading their wings.

Park Yong-soon said, "I hope people can take the opportunity to stretch their bodies, which have been cramped, while watching the flight of hawks soaring through the sky at Daecheongho, blessed with its natural scenery."